Daniel O'Donnell, Labor Educator, Washington State Labor Education and Research Center 
On Armistice Day, November 11, 1919 an armed conflict ignited in Centralia, Washington. Tensions had been building for some time between the local American Legion and the Industrial Workers of the World, better known as the Wobblies. Many facts of the incident remain bitterly contested, but a few facts are not in dispute. By the morning of November 12th, six men were dead: four American Legionnaires, one deputy sheriff, and one labor union organizer—who had been lynched and hung from a bridge. Who started the violence, who was guilty or innocent, who were the perpetrators and who were the victims was a subject of intense disagreement in 1919 and it remains a contested history to this day. The University of Washington Bothell is partnering with McMenamins History Department to present Pub Night Talks — a monthly series of talks by experts from UW Bothell and around the local community. These talks are held the last Tuesday evening of each month at McMenamins Anderson School in downtown Bothell. Doors open at 6 pm. Talks begin at 7 p.m. and are followed by Q&A. All talks are free and open to the public. All ages welcome! All seating is first come, first served. To learn about other events from the History Department of McMenamins, go to mcmenamins.com/history. |